Pipe Fitting Seal Structure for Low-Deformation High-Pressure Sealing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current pipe sealing rings made of rubber suffer from significant deformation when subjected to the extrusion force of pipe elements, leading to reduced thickness and increased brittleness, which shortens their service life in high-pressure and high-temperature environments.

Innovation Solution

A pipe fitting seal design featuring a sealing ring with a connecting base and outer biasing portion, where the sealing ring is abutted by inclined surfaces on the connecting base to distribute pressure evenly, reducing deformation and enhancing sealing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sealing ring is deformed by extrusion of pipe elements to achieve sealing, then the sealing effect is improved, but the deformation amplitude at contact positions increases, reducing service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectVSAvoidservice life of sealing ring
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the sealing function into two separate sealing rings instead of using one sealing ring for both sealing positions. This segmentation allows each sealing ring to be positioned independently and deform locally without excessive stress concentration, thereby maintaining effective sealing while reducing deformation damage and extending service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the sealing ring is made of rubber material for flexibility, then the sealing adaptability is improved, but the material becomes brittle and hardens under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions, reducing service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing adaptabilityVSAvoidservice life under high-pressure and high-temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs rubber material for the sealing rings to maintain flexibility and sealing adaptability, while the overall connecting structure uses metal materials (such as stainless steel) to provide mechanical strength and resistance to high-pressure and high-temperature environments. This composite material approach allows the sealing function to be performed by the flexible rubber rings while the structural integrity is maintained by the durable metal components, thereby extending service life under harsh conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the sealing ring thickness is reduced at contact positions due to deformation, then the sealing contact is improved, but the structural integrity of the sealing ring deteriorates, affecting service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing contact qualityVSAvoidstructural integrity of sealing ring
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

By using two separate sealing rings positioned at different locations, each ring experiences localized deformation only at its specific contact position rather than throughout the entire ring. This segmentation prevents excessive thinning and maintains the structural integrity of each sealing ring while still achieving effective sealing contact at both positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design reduces the deformation amplitude of the seal at the sealing positions, minimizing damage and ensuring a longer service life of the seal by distributing pressure evenly and maintaining effective sealing in high-pressure and high-temperature conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the outer biasing portion abuts against the outer wall of one pipe element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the sealing ring abuts against an end of the other pipe element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4556774A1Pipe fitting seal and pipe connecting structure
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 SHANGHAI VISION MECHANICAL JOINT CO LTD
  • EP4556774A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4556774A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4556774A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pipe fitting seal includes a sealing ring (3) arranged between two pipe elements, a connecting base (2) is arranged on an outside of the sealing ring (3), an outer biasing portion (1) is arranged on an inner of the connecting base (2), a first abutting surface (7) is formed on an outer wall of the connecting base (2), the first abutting surface (7) can be squeezed to drive the outer biasing portion (1) to abut against an outer wall of the pipe element (19), and a second abutting inclined surface (4) is formed on a side of the connecting base (2) away from the sealing ring (3), the second abutting inclined surface (4) can be squeezed to drive the sealing ring (3) to abut against an end of the other pipe element (16).